Ernotte warns of millions of blank screens at DSO

At a hearing before the Culture Commission of French Senate about PSB Group France Télévisions and its economic model, president Dephine Ernotte-Cunci, also warned about the risks of blank screens for 7 per cent of viewers next April 5th.

Ahead of the DTT switchover to MPEG-4 and the sale of the 700 MHz band to telcos, Ernotte warned the lack of preparation of TV broadcast services operators and the lack of information for consumers could leave several million TV homes without TV services.

The President of the Senate Cultural Commission, Catherine Morin-Desailly, agrees and has written to PM Manuel Valls about this risk.

Five months before the deadline, the French government has had no information campaign to alert the TV viewers owning an old set they have to invest into a modern one or into a TV adaptor.